The Hare family pose for a group photo. Pictured from left: Kam Salazar, boyfriend of daughter Delaney Hare, dog Millie, Amanda Hare, husband Rob Hare, daughter in-law Marissa, son Dalton Hare, puppy Willow and daughter Kenzie Hare. Photo provided by Amanda Hare.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

Wawasee girls tennis coach Amanda Hare might be the most well connected person in the Wawasee school district as she is involved in all three towns in North Webster, Syracuse and Milford. She owns a hair salon in North Webster, coaches tennis in Syracuse and grew up in Milford where her husband, Rob, is a firefighter.

Hare played tennis her first three years as a student at Wawasee and now enjoys building a positive atmosphere for the girls on the team.

“I never cut players and we have a good time,” Hare said. “I didn’t play senior year and I regret it. I was a cosmology student. Talked to a couple of my seniors into continue playing and not graduating early. I said, ‘Life is so heavy once you get out of school, you got to make all these memories when you’re in school. Don’t miss out like I did.’”

Her impact on the players is evident when senior Hannah Likens, the class of 2025 valedictorian, picked Hare as someone who made an impact on her.

“I feel very honored because Hannah Likens picked me as her academic hall of fame. They pick a person who met something in their life and she picked me. That made me feel amazing. It feels your heart with happiness to know I meant something,” Hare said.

Hare and her husband Rob have been married for 35 years. They have three kids in Dalton, Delaney and McKenzie. Hare says she is thrilled with the prospect of becoming a grandparent this summer.

In addition to getting married after high school, Hare started her own business in North Webster called the A K Hare Company. She began the salon when she was pregnant and has enjoyed the interactions she has with customers.

“I like the flexibility and just how my clients feel like family. Family is super important to me. I encourage the girls to make sure family is first. I just being a part of them and being part of their lives.”

She has employees that have stayed with her for decades in Amber Burchard and Kathy White. Hare has also worked with Abby Anderson for five years.

Hare says she has not missed a Mermaid Festival in 30 years as she appreciates the North Webster community.

“Sweetest town. Mermaid festival is the best thing ever. The people there are the best. They’re super friendly. I would highly encourage people to live in or do things in North Webster,” Hare said.

Hare will soon begin her sixth season coaching the girls tennis team at Wawasee. Her first season coaching the team in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She has encourage her team to play with a group of senior citizens who play on the courts three days a week.

“I encourage my girls to go to it because you will learn from playing against them. You will be shocked when an older person kicked your butt,” Hare said.

When she is not running her business or playing tennis Hare can also be found enjoying the family property on Dewart Lake.

“We see plenty of wildlife with cranes and deer,” Hare said. “It’s a beautiful lake.”